National Medical Device Policy, The central government on Wednesday approved the National Medical Devices Policy with an aim to increase domestic production and reduce imports of such devices.
Addressing the media after the cabinet meeting, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said that it will give a boost to the domestic production of medical equipment.
Last year, the government had released an approach paper on the draft National Medical Devices Policy 2022 for consultation. The policy is expected to help grow the medical devices sector from the current $11 billion to $50 billion in the next five years.
Government has already started implementation of PLI scheme for Medical Devices and extended support for setting up of 4 Medical Device Parks in Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.
Under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Medical Devices, a total of 26 projects with a committed investment of Rs 1,206 crore have been approved so far and an investment of Rs 714 crore has been achieved so far.
Center approves setting up of over 150 government nursing colleges
Meanwhile, the government also approved setting up of 157 nursing colleges at a cost of Rs 1,570 crore in co-location with existing medical colleges. Health Minister Mandaviya said that the objective is to provide quality, affordable and equitable nursing education in the country and to increase the number of nursing professionals.
Co-location of these nursing colleges with medical colleges will allow optimum utilization of existing infrastructure, skill laboratories, clinical facilities and faculty. The government plans to complete the project within two years with detailed timelines for each phase of planning as well as execution.